QPR's First League Encounter With Chelsea: 40 Years Ago Today...Other QPR Snippets

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Forty Years ago, today, September 14, 1968, was the first time QPR played Chelsea in a League Cup (or cup) game. Unfortunately that first encounter, was QPR's worst result between the two clubs.
Newly-promoted QPR crashed 0-4 at Loftus Road in what was one of their (equal) worst home results that season. QPR's team against a Chelsea team, managed by Dave Sexton and containing Bonnetti, Harris, Hollins, Osgood, Tambling and Cook among other:
Springett
Harris Sibley Keetch Watson
Keen Hazell Sanderson I.Morgan
Leach Bridges - Sub: Hunt
[Any QPR or Chelsea fans who have the Chelsea team from that match, feel free to post]

As Chelsea site subsequently described it: "...It was an afternoon of growling thunder with a paddy field pitch at Loftus Road, and with more luck Chelsea would have hit double figures rather than just the four without reply.'A thorough hammering,' thought The Times, and old boy Barry Bridges was well marshalled by Ron Harris." Chelsea

- Past QPR vs Chelsea over the past four decades

- Recalling QPR's 1968/1969 Season


RAY WILKINS TURNS 52
Born September 14, 1956. Signed by QPR on the cusp of Trevor Francis's departure and Don Howe succeeding him, November 30, 1989.
Wilkins left QPR in May 1994 to join Crystal Palace on a free. Returned to QPR in November 1994 as player manager, when Gerry Francis moved on to Spurs. Had a great first season. Unfortunately the second season, Les Ferdinand was sold, and some of the signings were not so great and QPR were relegated. Started the following season, but resigned/was sacked exactly 10 years ago (+ a few days)
Dave Sexton originally tried to sign Wilkins when he was an 18 year old at Chelsea in 1974/1975. And QPR were linked again with him when he was at Manchester United and Terry Venables QPR had just won promotion.
Wilkins

See Also:
- Ray Wilkins/Wikipedia
- Dave's QueensParkRangers FC Profile of Wilkins - Queens Park Rangers FC - Wilkins
- QPRnet's Q&A with Ray Wilkins - QPRNet-Ray Wilkins Q&A


- And how were QPR doing a year ago, today? QPR drew 1-1 at Leicester (at the time managed by Gary Megson). Leigertwood getting a late equalizer. QPR's team: Camp, Cullip, Stewart, Rehman, Barker, Rowlands, Leigertwood, Bolder, Moore, Blackstock, Sahar - Subs: Cole, Bignot, Nardiello, Curtis, Ephraim Match Reports and Comments


- QPR's much-beloved former Assistant manager profiled and interviewed in The Timesin The Times - Bruce Rioch


Ben Watson: - Reported QPR target, Ben Watson, plays his first game of the season for Crystal Palace; scores and is praised by Palace manager Neil Warnock - Warnock on Watson


- A bad day for Simon Royce Letting in seven: Shrewsbury 7 Gillingham 0